Naples is shaking: earthquake alarm in the danger zone of the supervolcano!

Naples is shaking: earthquake alarm in the danger zone of the supervolcano!

On May 13, 2025, a series of earthquakes struck the region around Naples, Italy, with the strongest quake reaching a magnitude of 4.4 and occurring at 12:07 p.m. The epicenter of these tremors was in the Phlegraean Fields, a supervolcano hosted west of Naples. The city of Pozzuoli, which has around 76,000 inhabitants, was particularly affected. Many people ran onto the streets in panic while rail traffic was suspended for safety reasons. Schools also suspended classes.

Various videos of the earthquakes circulated on the Internet, including footage of damage caused to a university dormitory in Pozzuoli. Mayor Gigi Manzoni issued an order for police patrols to calm the frightened population. The city is constantly on alert due to the geological activity in the area.

Volcanic activity and earthquake history

Volcanic activity in the Phlegraean Fields has increased in recent months and years. An earthquake with a similar magnitude of 4.4 occurred on May 13, 2024, and there were also comparable earthquakes on Whit Monday 2024 and in mid-March 2025. These repeated vibrations led to cracks in some houses, but fortunately there have been no injuries so far.

Scientists and volcanologists warn of a possible volcanic eruption. The last supervolcano eruption occurred in 1538 and a major eruption could have devastating consequences for the region and possibly even globally, like the historic eruption 39,000 years ago that affected the climate worldwide. The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) again identified the Phlegraean Fields as the epicenter of the quakes.

Emergency procedures and safety instructions

In view of the current earthquake activity, the yellow alert level has been in effect in this sensitive area for eleven years, calling for caution. New measures were introduced after the May 2024 earthquakes, including plans for possible evacuation and improving the seismic safety of buildings.

Tourists and travelers are encouraged to monitor the situation on the Italian Civil Defense website. There are currently no travel warnings from the Foreign Office and air traffic is normal. However, if flights are canceled due to a volcanic eruption, travelers have the right to a refund of the ticket price or free rebooking, but not compensation due to extraordinary circumstances.

The situation remains tense and the population in the region is called upon to follow the authorities' instructions and not to enter restricted areas. Continued monitoring of volcanic activity will be crucial to detect potential threats early.

Overall, the incident shows how important it is to be aware of the risks in volcanically active regions and to be adequately prepared. How adac.de reported, the situation will continue to be monitored closely. Also t-online.de stresses that the international community is following developments closely.